Edited by Stephen Sherman, the webmaster of this
website, AcePilots.com.

17th - Squadron entrained at Saulty for Toul, and was assigned
the 4th Pursuit Group, with the 25th, 141st and 148th
Aero Squadrons. The Group was to be stationed at Toul and the Squadrons
to be equipped with Spads.

27th -. Lieutenant Sidney White died from burns received in
crash on October 31st. Lieutenant McCubbin missing since 15:30 October
21st, returned 10:00.

GROUP - All squadrons put all available airplanes in the air to
cover attack of bombers and four squadrons of the 2nd and 3rd Pursuit
Groups in bombing of Bois-de-Faye and Bois de-Barricourt 7:15.

2 Nov 1918

27th - Lieutenant McCubbin became lost from patrol during rain
storm 11:20 while in the region of Lechesne and on observing an enemy
balloon in ascension attacked it and destroyed it, confirmed for his
first victory.

185th - Bombed bridge at Surrey-sur-Meuse 5:25.

GROUP - All available airplanes from all squadrons covered
bombing operations of 2nd and 3rd Pursuit Groups.

147th - Combat report from noon patrol reads, "Lieutenant S. P.
Porter, Simonds and Cox - No activity in Clery-le-Petit or
Dun-sur-Meuse. If either town was occupied with troops they were well
hidden. Over the Bois-de-Tailly and Mont-devant-Sassey the formation
was heavily archied and met severe machine gun fire. The woods were so
thick that little activity could be seen but from the anti-aircraft
fire, it must be held by the huns. The activity around Nouart seen
earlier in today seems to have stopped. There was but little Artillery
action. The formation caught sight of a Hun bi-place south of the
Bois-de-Tailly but it turned south as the formation approached. An
allied balloon was up 400 meters a little east of Nantillois with
another on the ground near Bantheville. Allied infantry was advancing
on Villers-de-Vant-Dun to Nouart and across north of Buzancy toward
Harricourt, seemingly meeting no opposition. Some allied cavalry near
Nouart. Evidently a dump burning near Vaux-on-Dielet. Believe Huns are
in woods. Allied troops in Buzancy. Large truck trains full of men from
Varennes to Fleville going North. Allied troops in Briqueney and
Harricourt." This was typical of the observation work done by the 1st
Pursuit Group during this operation.

4 Nov 1918

27th - Captain Edward Rucker awarded Distinguished Service Cross
for action near Luneville 13 June; 2nd Lieutenant John McArthur awarded
DSC posthumously for same action. A patrol of 13 planes from 15:00 to
16:25 encountered the following trouble: Lieutenants Colton end Lyman
returned 15:40 account engine trouble; Lieutenants Bilderback and
Rowland were forced down and returned at 20:30; Lieutenants Bailey,
Rowland and Dawson attacked a Rumpler in the vicinity of Clery-le-Petit
15:45 and destroyed it, this was Lieutenant Dawson’s fourth victory and
the first for Lieutenants Bailey and Rowland. The Squadron was informed
by the 4th Pursuit Group that a German airplane had dropped a leaflet
on their airdrome in the morning starting "Lieutenant R. Taylor, J. W.
Caster, J. Wehner reported dead; Lieutenant W. Heinrichs reported
seriously wounded."

103rd - While on low bombing patrol in the vicinity of Baalon
the Squadron was attacked by a formation of eight Fokkers. In the
engagement which followed Lieutenant J. Frost destroyed a Fokker
(confirmed), Lieutenant G. D. Lamer and H. B. Bartholf destroyed a
Fokker near Stenay, Lieutenant G.D. Larner destroyed a Fokker near
Stenay. This victory by Lieutenant Larner was the last victory of the
squadron Lieutenant John N. Koontz severely wounded in action near
Baztlon and evacuated to Base Hospital.

1.
Started on "A" Flight patrol at 15:00 H. Motor ran well until about
16:00 H when turning at 2100 revs it suddenly grabbed and prop stopped
instantly. I was flying at 500 meters and had no choice of landing
place. Landed in shell holes, etc. Machine is a total washout. I
brought back the clock and altimeter.

Byron Bilderback.

95th - "B" Flight dispatched to Verdun Airdrome to act as
separate squadron, in defense of allied balloon lines. Lieutenant
Sewall destroyed balloon near Stenay and Lieut. Hall destroyed balloon
near Charney to gain their sixth and second official victories. While
in the vicinity of Dun-sur-Meuse Lieutenants Vail and Pegues became
detached from their formation and while attempting to regain it came
upon eight Fokkers which were attacking four low-flying Spads of the
2nd Pursuit Group. Lieutenants Vail and Pegues dove through the
formation and attacked the leader bringing down and destroying the
remainder of the Fokker formation. This was the second victory for
Lieutenant Pegues and Lieutenant Vail’s first.

GROUP - Six pilots from 94th, four pilots from 95th and seven
pilots from 147th attached to 185th Squadron for training on night
flying Camels.

95th - Lieutenant Roberts destroyed Fokker near Stenay to gain
his first official victory, and Lieutenant Knowles destroyed bi-place
near Montfaucon to gain his 5th victory. Lieutenant William H. Vail was
attacked by a patrol of four Fokkers near Stenay and had almost
succeeded in fighting his way back when his opponents were reinforced
by five more. He succeeded in fighting his way clear although severely
wounded in the Section and had almost regained the airdrome when his
airplane fell apart. He was transferred to Evacuation Hospital #19.

GROUP - Orders received from 1st Army Air Service Headquarters
that whenever the opportunity afforded, enemy troops and concentrations
were to be straffed with machine gun fire.!

103rd - Squadron moved to Foucaucourt.

7 Nov 1918

94th - Major Fauntleroy assigned.

8 Nov 1918

27th - Lieutenant Cooper destroyed balloon east of Stenay
confirmed 12:25. Lieutenants Lyman, Moseley and Gwinn drove down a
Rumpler camouflaged with white tail and dark camouflage paint, east of
Witanville 15:05. This was the first official victory of all three
officers.

95th - Lieutenant Weatherhead gained his 3rd and 4th official
victories by destroying two balloons in the vicinity of Stenay,
Lieutenant Rhenscrom destroyed Pfalz near Stenay.

94th - After a trial formation flight during which a heavy fog
blanketed out the airdrome, the following officers were missing, Major
Maxwell Kirby, Captain Cedric Fauntleroy and 2nd Lieutenant John
DeWitt. Late in the afternoon the Squadron received a report that !
two American Spads had collided near Toul and fears were had that they
were two missing planes of the 94th Squadron.

94th - Captain Fauntleroy and Lieutenant DeWitt returned 10:40.
While emerging from a bank of fog over Mauecourt in an effort to return
to his Squadron Major Kirby attacked a Fokker and destroyed it. This
was the last aerial victory of either side during the war. Captain
Rickenbacker decorated with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Captains Chambers,
Coolidge (posthumously), Taylor, Campbell, Lieutenants Kaye, Winslow,
Tittman. Jeffers, Sherry and Palmer decorated with Distinguished
Service Cross by Major General Hunter Liggett, Commanding lst American
Army.

GROUP - News of the signing of the Armistice received at 8:15 PM
and celebrations were immediately held in all messes.

11 Nov 1918

147th - The Squadron having been organized on 11 November 1917,
celebrated both the Armistice and 1st Anniversary in Erize-le-Petite.
Major Fonnell, the Squadron Commander, with Colonel Sherman, Assistant
Chief of Air Service, Colonel Hunter, joined with Major Hartney and the
147th in a big show and they were still celebrating on the 12th. The
Squadron, in appreciation of their regard and esteem for Major Bonnell,
presented him with a handsome cigarette case

2nd Air Park - Moved to Foucaucourt as part of the 3rd
Pursuit Group

GROUP - Flying discontinued by order of Chief of Air Service due
to all transportation being requisitioned bv 3rd Armor. In case of a
crash it would have been impossible to get them wrecked machines or to
get to them to remove casualties.

94th - Occupied field at Moors, used by Germans
during the war. The quarters were quite comfortable and the squadron
enjoyed a Thanksgiving Dinner quite in keeping with the surroundings.
The Squadron made daily patrols over Luxemborg as a portion of the 5th
Pursuit Group. Recreation consisted of firing pistols and rifles and
association with the natives was prohibited.

147th - All officers assigned since Armistice relieved and
transferred to service of Supply.

7 Dec 1918

GROUP - Advance parties of 27th, 95th and 147th Squadrons
departed for Colombey-les-Belles 9:45. Following commendation received
from Chief of Air Service: "The Commander-in-Chief has learned with
great satisfaction of the excellent work of the First Pursuit Group,
Air Service, and desires to commend it especially for its praiseworthy
record. The handicaps under which this initial unit of the American
Expeditionary Forces has been organized and begun the discharge of its
duty are well known and recognized. With fine spirit and determination
it has overcome obstacles and already achieved an enviable record. The
commander and the personnel are congratulated for their effective and
daring work." PERSHING.

103rd - First Lieutenant Paul Frank Baer awarded Distinguished
Service Cross and Oak Leaf Cluster for action at Rheims, 11 March and
actions near Rheims, 5th, 12th, 23rd April and 8th and 21st of May.
Captain James Norman Hall awarded Distinguished Service Cross for
action near Rheims, 26 March.

15 Dec 1918

1st Air Park - Detached from lst Army, assigned 1st Air Depot
and remained at Foucaucourt to evacuate supplies.

GROUP - Group disbanded at Colombey-les-Belles and all squadrons
released to control of 1st Air Depot.

25 Dec 1918

94th - Squadron enjoyed Christmas dinner at Moors while
preparing to move further into Germany.

26 Dec 1918

94th - Captain Rickenbacker relieved of command and with Major
Meissner and Captain Campbell ordered to return to the United States.
Major Kirby relieved and assumed command of 5th Pursuit Group. Major
Fauntleroy relieved and assumed command of 139th Aero Squadron. Major
Reed M. Chambers assumed command of Squadron.

Another of the Osprey Aircraft of the Aces series. The book
briefly summarizes the flying career of the American and French fliers
who achieved ace status in the later Spads. Also includes descriptions
and colorful profile plates of the airplanes.

Built in response to the combat inadequacies of the SPAD
VII, the SPAD XIII featured the Hispano-Suiza 8B engine of 200 hp,
which greatly boosted the French scout's performance. Dubbed the
'geared SPAD' due to the arrangement of its powerplant, the XIII bore a
striking resemblance to the VII, but was larger overall. The first
examples entered service with the French Aviation Militaire in
late 1917, and by 1 April of the following year, 372 had been
delivered. Despite being handicapped by engine unreliability, the XIII
enjoyed great success on the Western Front, being flown by numerous
French, American, Italian and Belgian aces, including Eddie
Rickenbacker, leading US ace of World War 1. Over 7500 SPAD XIIIs were
built. The SPAD XII was a limited production (300) fighter which
embodied numerous improvements over the SPAD VII, including the
spur-reduction gear Hispano-Suiza engine. Entering service in July
1917, the aircraft boasted a single-shot 37 mm Puteaux cannon, which
had to be hand-reloaded in flight! Tricky to fly, the XII was only
issued to experienced pilots, and was flown briefly by a number of
aces.